Flyers Put Leighton on Waivers

Sometimes the world of sports can be cruel which is something that former Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Michael Leighton found out on Monday afternoon. A year ago Leighton came to Philadelphia as a waiver pick up and exceeded all expectations by registering a 16-5-2 record and a 2.48 GAA in 27 games. His stellar play continued in post season as he went 8-3 with a 2.46 GAA and .916 save percentage in leading the Flyers to the Stanley Cup finals. Unfortunately for Leighton, after he signed a two-year contract extension this summer, things turned south for the former 1999 Chicago Blackhawks sixth round draft choice. Resulting from October back surgery, Leighton has played only one game which was a 7-4 win against the Los Angeles Kings. Despite making 32 saves and getting the victory Flyers GM Paul Holmgren decided on Monday to put the 29 year-old on waivers. “This has more to do with the way the other two guys have played,” Holmgren said talking about his two goaltenders Brian Boucher and Sergei Bobrovsky. “We expect them to continue playing well.” Leighton who has also played for the Blackhawks, Nashville Predators and the Carolina Hurrianes in his career will report to the AHL’s Adirondack Phantoms if he clears waivers by Tuesday at noon. “Right now, he’s in a training camp mode, and needs to get up to speed to help our team,” Holmgren said about Leighton missing so much time. “The only way he’s going to do that, is if he goes down. We all expected him to be a little rusty.”